Pennsylvania judge reverses ban on gay marriage

In the past few days, Idaho and Oregon have made same-sex marriage legal. Now Pennsylvania has joined them and gay couples are rejoicing.

It's been a big week for marriage equality. Last week, an Idaho judge struck down a gay marriage ban and yesterday, Oregon did the same and Utah was forced on Monday to recognize over 1000 same sex marriages. Today, ABC News has reported that Pennsylvania has become the 19th state to make same-sex marriage legal.

U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III applauded the courage of the plaintiffs, including 11 couples, a teenage daughter of one of the couples, and a widow. "We are a better people than what these laws represent, and it is time to discard them into the ash heap of history," said Jones.

Bans on same-sex marriage are receiving the axe nationwide since the Supreme Court ruled such bans as unconstitutional. Attorneys for the plaintiffs state that same-sex couples suffer harm from not enjoying the same rights as heterosexual couples, such as hospital visitation rights and taxation issues.

Attorney General Kathleen Kane held that the ban was unconstitutional, and there has been much celebration about the ruling. Kane stated, "Our commonwealth progressed today and so have the hopes and dreams of many who suffer from inequality."